Etihad Airways wins Ultratravel Award

Etihad Airways has received the coveted award for Best First Class at the annual Ultratravel Middle East Awards (ULTRAs) ceremony, which was held last night at the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel in Dubai.

The award
is another major accolade for the UAE national airline’s First Class experience,
which has repeatedly been voted best in the world.

The ULTRAs
are voted for by the readers of Ultratravel Middle East, the regional edition
of the United Kingdom’s exclusive Ultratravel magazine, a high-end luxury travel
publication which was launched in the UK in 2004 in partnership with the Daily
Telegraph. Ultratravel Middle East is distributed in English and Arabic within
The National and Al Ittihad newspapers.

Peter
Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “This award further
validates and recognises the tremendous efforts which have gone in to creating
the most innovative, stylish and luxurious First Class service in the air. We
are incredibly proud to receive it.

“This year
has been a momentous one for Etihad Airways. The revolutionary cabin concepts
we launched in 2014 are now a reality, already flying on our new fleet of
Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The Etihad Airways brand has
been catapulted into the global consciousness as the world-leading provider of
remarkable travel experiences in all classes of service.”

Etihad
Airways introduced ground-breaking First Class cabins with the introduction of
its fleet of A380s and B787-9 aircraft, with five of each type delivered to
date.

Nick Perry,
Chairman of Ultratravel, said: “With the introduction of revolutionary inflight
innovations such as The Residence, with its three rooms, and the airline’s new
First Apartments and First Suites, Etihad Airways is redefining what
world-class hospitality and First Class travel can be for its guests.”

The A380
First Class cabin boasts nine First Apartments, unique living spaces which at
39 square feet in area, are 74 per cent larger than
the airline’s current award-winning First Class suites, and feature a Poltrona
Frau leather armchair and a separate ottoman which converts into a full-length 80.5
inch long bed. A dedicated shower room is available for exclusive use by First
Class guests.

The B787s are
equipped with eight private First Suites in a unique curved aisle setting, an
airline industry first, with a 10 per cent increase in personal space. The
forward and aft facing suites feature a large Poltrona Frau leather armchair
which converts into an 80.5 inch fully-flat bed. The suites feature 24 inch TV
monitors, large dining tables for dual dining, personal wardrobes and privacy
doors.

The world’s best First Class experienceInspired
by the best hotels and restaurants in the world, Etihad Airways’ First Class
service includes a personalised welcome letter from the Cabin Manager and an
elegant reception with a drink of choice and Arabic coffee service, fragrant
hot towel, and traditional Arabian dates, served on a silver platter.

First
Class dining features a contemporary menu with an enhanced selection of
canapés, a palate cleanser served between appetiser and entrée, a pre-dessert
course served by the Chef, coffee and tea from the 'Café Gourmand' brand
accompanied by mini biscuits, cakes and pastries.

Guests
can choose from an extensive haute cuisine a la Carte menu, or can select fine
steaks and sides from The Grill menu, complemented by a choice of side dishes and
sauces, and can also choose delicious meals and snacks throughout the flight
from the All Day Dine menu. The onboard Chefs, many of who hail from fine
dining establishments around the world, including some Michelin Star
restaurants, are provided with an onboard pantry of fresh ingredients including
proteins and vegetables. These talented crew members can discuss made to order
requests with the guest and can prepare a bespoke dining experience tailored to
their palette. A Chef is available in First Class on every Etihad Airways
flight.

Meals are
served on sophisticated new crockery from the famous Japanese manufacturer
Nikko, and new ‘Royal Oak’ cutlery has been designed by the quintessentially
British brand, Studio William. Fine wines from the Etihad Airways onboard
cellar are now served in crystal glasses for both red and white wines
separately, created for Etihad Airways by Lucaris. A special XO Cognac service
is provided featuring signature glasses designed by Norman of Copenhagen.

First
Class bedding includes a luxurious all-natural mattress pad, duvet and pillow
set, produced exclusively for Etihad Airways by COCO-MAT, widely regarded as
the providers of the world’s best bedding. The First Class turndown service is
accompanied by a 'sweet dreams' card, pillow mist, and aromatic pulse-point oil
for the wrists.

Elegant
loungewear is provided for comfort and relaxation and guests are offered
limited edition Sougha amenity kits, inspired by the culture and colours of Abu
Dhabi, and containing a selection of exclusive products by luxury New
York-based brand, Le Labo.